Mudda debates validity of exit polls

Uttar Pradesh is waiting with bated breath as tomorrow is the day that will decide its fate for the next five years. This year’s assembly elections in five states have been more about power struggles than development of the state. The BJP is leading in every exit poll followed closely by the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance. Amidst all the excitement, SP leader Ram Yadav Singh said the exit polls are influenced by the BJP. On the other hand, Akhilesh Yadav hinted at a possible alliance with the BSP.

Govind said: “There have been instances wherein the exit polls were incorrect. But there will be no major deviation from the exit polls this time. Only some minor changes might be there…”

“It is true that the method of the exit poll has changed. We cannot do a survey of 50 people and consider the set to represent a trend. Nowadays news channels ask reporters, relatives, political parties, etc., and consider their views. This is not an exit poll if we look at the technicalities… Ram Gopal Yadav’s political power is at stake. I don’t agree that they are influenced. There might be one or two who are influenced by a political party,” he added.

Jagdev Yadav agreed that the BJP’s media management is good. “Exit polls are different in India and in America. Americans vote on the basis of development issues, not religion, caste and gender,” he opined.

Harish Srivastav said that SP rule has failed the state. “If you look closely, the law and order situation, development of the youth, women and farmers, everything is at a dismal state. As far as the exit polls are concerned, every channel used their own resources. Whatever the result, they showed it.”

Hilal Naqvi dismissed exit polls and said we all will know the real result tomorrow. He alleged that the sample surveys used for exit polls by most channels are the same. “To join hands with Mayawati or not is Akhilesh Yadav’s personal opinion. We do not need anybody’s help,” he said.

Haji Naem Abbas, too, said that exit poll results are always far from the truth. He said: “We will win by a clear majority. We will form the government. Mayawati said we do not need anybody’s help.”

Even Anil Dubey agreed. “One cannot talk to 2,000 people and conclude anything definitive. What about the remaining 3 lakhs?” he said.

Views on News, unique magazine that monitors and takes a critical look at the challenging, competitive world of Indian and global media every fortnight; and Akbari, a weekly newspaper in Hindi and Urdu.